Gardening Tips: Check plants for signs of damaging insects

Gardeners hope the cold winter has helped to control the insect population, but maybe not. Insects can survive under very extreme conditions.

Many insects have ways to avoid or tolerate the effects of cold. Some overwinter under plant debris; others burrow into the soil.

Despite the cold, we'll probably have problems with some insects this spring and summer. Here are some of the most common insects that attack our plants:

Scale insects are common on some of the euonymus shrubs (a small plant). This problem is easy to spot because the insects build a hard cover over themselves for protection. The covers look like tiny white or brown spots on the stems of the plants.

The most effective way to control scale is to spray with dormant oil during the winter. Dormant oil can damage the plant if you spray when the temperature is too hot. Read and follow label directions.

Spider mites can be found on many landscape plants. As their name indicates, they are tiny and difficult to see. To check for spider mites, hold a white sheet of paper under a branch and tap the branch. If you see something on the paper that appears to be moving, you probably have spider mites.

Your local garden center will have a spray to control them. The insects can be washed off the plant with a high pressure stream of water from your garden hose.

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that may become a problem in the summer. Aphids can be green, yellow, gray or pink. They suck the sap out of leaves, normally attacking their underside. Infested leaves turn yellow brown, curl and sometimes drop off.

Aphids can be controlled with a chemical. Read and always follow directions before spraying. Beneficial insects, such as lady bugs or lacewing insects, can provide some control.

Bag worms are found mostly on juniper, cedar and pine trees. One of the best ways to control bag worms is to hand-pick and destroy them in the winter before the eggs hatch in the spring.

You should check your plants weekly for any signs of insect damage. Early protection is the key to protecting your plant.

Booker T. Leigh is an extension agent for Shelby County. For more gardening information, call his office at 901-752-1207 or the Tipton County Extension service office at 901-476-0231